Chapter 220 Go their separate ways
At Cao Cao's mansion, when Xu You arrived, the north wind was howling, the sky was as dark as lead, and there was a light snowflake.

Standing in front of the steps of the pavilion, Xu You looked up at the plaque on the lintel, then gathered his cloak and walked up the steps.

Led by a servant, Xu You went to the backyard to meet Cao Cao.

After taking off his cloak and leather boots, Xu You entered the living room and then went through the side door into the bedroom.

Lying on the bed in the bedroom, Cao Cao had a yellow scarf wrapped around his head, which was tied tightly, as only in this way could he relieve his severe headache.

"Ming Gong?"

"Ziyuan, you and I are old friends, and today we are in my private residence only to talk about our friendship."

Cao Cao lay on his back and raised his hand to pat his side to signal Xu You to come closer and sit down.

Cao Cao grabbed Xu You's hand, and seeing that Xu You's hand was a little cold, Cao Cao closed his eyes again.

Now whenever I open my eyes, I feel dizzy and irritable.

Xu You sat down, folded his hands and grasped Cao Cao's left hand, and his tone became gentle: "Meng De, everyone knows that the black thief's foundation is unstable. When the next year comes, the world will know his predicament."

"That's not what I'm worried about."

Cao Cao took out a sweat-stained paper from his bosom and handed it to Xu You. Cao Cao kept his eyes closed and said, "I want to invite Ziyuan to enter Guanzhong and break the alliance between Guanzhong and Hebei."

Xu You said nothing, spread out the paper, and frowned: "This statement is ridiculous."

The content of the letter was a report from the tomb raider that Gao Shun's tomb in Chenliu was intact, but Gao Shun's body was missing.

Now the tomb raider requests to dig a tunnel to investigate the truth of Lu Bu's tomb.

They did not dare to dig openly, regardless of whether there were corpses in the tombs or not. As long as the excavation began, the imperial court would be inherently three points weaker.

The rumor that Lu Bu was not dead also spread to Xu Du, and the entire court became restless.

Xu You only felt that the paper in his hand was very heavy, enough to crush many blindly obedient and impulsive people.

Cao Cao closed his eyes and said: "If we don't get rid of this evil man, how can the world be peaceful?"

"But Meng De, why is it only Lu Bu and Gao Shun, and not others?"

Xu You folded the paper and put it in Cao Cao's hand, and asked again in confusion: "I remember that the black thieves counted Pengcheng, do you know what happened to King Xiang's tomb?"

"Perhaps this person's magic has a time limit, and can only work on the newly dead. I don't know the details."

Cao Cao kept recalling what happened that night in his mind, and became more and more certain that the tall white-robed warrior who attacked the tiger warrior formation with a sword was Lu Bu.

No matter what state Lu Bu is in, as long as he can still move, he is a huge hidden danger.

Grasping Xu You's hand again, Cao Cao instructed: "In this chaotic world, this is our chance. I have already sent a letter to Liu Biao. He is over sixty years old and is more afraid of death than you and I. You should go to Guanzhong and start from within. I will gather the people of the Central Plains and the people from all directions to deal with him. With the combined efforts of both inside and outside, we will surely be able to trap him."

Xu You also became enthusiastic. All his close relatives and his own family were completely cheated by him.

In this world, he is naked and has nothing to worry about.

Even revenge lacks motivation.

But Cao Cao's remarks injected new hope into his life.

Xu You’s spiritual world immediately became bright.

Cao Cao then said, "Yuan Shang is in his prime and difficult to persuade. Therefore, we must first break the alliances in Guanzhong and Hebei. Then Liu Biao can start from Jingzhou and break the alliance of the black bandits in the south."

Xu You frowned and said, "Meng De, there are signs that Sun Quan of Jiangdong is raising an army to attack Huang Zu. Why not lure the black bandits into Jiangxia and set up ambushes on all sides, and then we can capture them."

Cao Cao blinked, and rolled over with his hands. His headache was no longer so painful. "Ziyuan, tell me in detail."

"Yes."

Xu You coughed twice and said, "It is difficult to outwit the black thief with ordinary schemes. I am thinking of a plan within a plan. First, let Liu Biao, Huang Zu, Sun Quan and Liu Xuande know about the monster. This monster has traveled to the Central Plains several times. How about spreading rumors that this person's blood can make people's white hair turn black again and return to youth."

"To prevent the black thieves from knowing, this rumor must not be spread among the people. We should send famous Taoist priests to travel around and spread it privately."

Xu You stood up and paced back and forth, analyzing the influence of various parties, and then said: "Liu Biao is old, and he has no choice but to believe. Using him to get rid of Liu Qi, Meng De's worries will be mostly gone."

"Yes, I will not be at peace unless I get rid of Liu Qi."

Cao Cao lay down again, expressionless: "I would rather Xuande take over Jingzhou than let Liu Qi take over."

Liu Qi does not pose much of a threat. After he replaces Liu Biao, there is a high probability that Jingzhou will become a vassal of Guanzhong.

If that's the case, that would be really bad.

It would be better to let Liu Bei take Jingzhou, at least Liu Bei will not surrender easily.

Another thing is that Liu Qi knew and believed that Hei Xiong was from the royal family. With Liu Qi's guarantee and promotion, even if the Liu family from all over the world had doubts, they would readily accept this statement.

Therefore, getting rid of Liu Qi as soon as possible and extinguishing this rumor can kill the legitimacy of Black Bear's claim to be king.

The legitimacy of Liu's claim to the throne was always a sword hanging over Cao Cao's head.

Just as there were rumors that the Yuan family attempted to support a new emperor in Chang'an, if the Liu warlords in various places obtained the throne, it would be a fatal blow to the Xudu court.

No matter how the throne came, as long as one comes and is of royal family origin, one can keep the crown.

Cao Cao thought about it and could not help but said loudly: "If we want to confer him the title of Marquis, we must clarify his clan genealogy. I don't believe he is a member of the royal family, or the son of Lu Bu."

"Don't get excited, Meng De. I don't believe it either."

Xu You hurried to comfort her. In fact, as for the destructive power of the black bear, Xu You thought it was just a trivial matter.

If they were really that powerful, the White Goose Thieves would not have made all sorts of noise but little action in the beginning; even when the enemy fleet was circumnavigating the Central Plains water system, they were like thieves, hiding during the day and coming out at night, or traveling day and night.

The reason why they have such power now is because they took advantage of the situation. The ten generals of Guanzhong were careless, and the Huns were also careless.

However, when Xu You saw Cao Cao's anxious expression, he felt more and more that Black Bear would not accept the imperial court's offer, and would even refuse an official position such as General Zhenbei.

Just as Cao Cao said, chasing and hunting this monster and becoming a new monster... this is indeed a very meaningful thing.

The more Xu You felt, the more this was the only meaningful thing in life. Just as he was about to question the demon's words, Cao Cao, a little tired, patted Xu You's hand and said, "The tunnel leading to Lu Bu's tomb is almost finished. Ziyuan, you go with Zihuan, Zijian, and Ziwen."

"Yes, then Meng De, have a good rest."

"Well, once Ziyuan has confirmed the truth, go to Guanzhong by yourself. I can't help you."

Cao Cao waved his hand after he finished speaking. Xu You also stood up and took two steps back, bowing and saying, "Take care, Meng De."

Xu You retreated to the side door and looked at Cao Cao lying on the sickbed, thinking that this day would come to him too.

The determination to hunt the monster became stronger.

Xu You, a bystander, wanted to eat the black bear alive, and Cao Cao, who was sick, was even more so.

Cao Cao was exhausted and tortured at the moment. If eating humans could really cure his illness and restore his health...

When he had a severe headache, Cao Cao would clench his fists and tap them gently, probably to divert his attention and relieve the pain.

Soon, Cao Pi led Cao Xiong, Cao Zhi and Cao Zhang in. Cao Cao lay on his back, enduring the discomfort. His eyes fell on the sick Cao Xiong, who also lowered his head in inferiority.

After two dry coughs, Cao Cao said, "The black bandits are on the rise, and some people in the court are using this man's power to force my father to return power to the emperor."

The four sons did not say anything and just listened quietly.

Cao Cao noticed the change in their mood and continued, "They think that if I return power to the court, the people of Hebei, Jingzhou, and Jiangdong will obey the court. This is wishful thinking. If I return power to the court, the hundreds of thousands of Qingxu and Yellow Turbans will surely cause chaos again. A wise man would not invite real disaster for the sake of false reputation."

Cao Zhi then spoke up: "Father, is it Yang who is causing trouble?"

Cao Cao turned his head to look, and Cao Zhi met his gaze: "Could Yang have persuaded Black Bear? If he could, it would be good for him to give in a little."

Cao Cao stared at him for a moment, and Cao Zhi said nothing more.

So he went to see Cao Pi and asked, "What do you think, Zihuan?"

"The black thief was able to kill the entire clan of Prince Shi and his teacher, which shows that Yang cannot persuade him."

Cao Pi expressed his own opinion: "I think Yang is trying to lobby both sides, using the power of others to defeat them, in order to steal the credit of Tan Tian."

Seeing that Cao Cao did not speak, Cao Pi mustered up his courage and said, "The Yuan family is a relative of the Yang family. Perhaps the Yang family can still persuade Yuan Shang."

After hearing this, Cao Zhi opened his mouth to explain, but felt very powerless.

Cao Xiong remained indifferent. He didn't understand why he was called over.

Because of long-term illness, eight-year-old Cao Xiong is frail and short.

Cao Zhang also looked indifferent. Seeing his idle look, Cao Cao asked, "What do you think, Ziwen?"

"Father, we can't give in. I don't think the Yang family can borrow the power of the black bear. We might as well wait and capture and kill the Yang family after they reveal their true strengths."

Cao Cao laughed when he heard this. Seeing Cao Zhi hesitated, he asked, "What did Zijian want to say?"

"I think that since the Yang family has revealed their true strength, it is better not to kill them."

After Cao Zhi finished speaking, he also lowered his head. He and Yang Xiu had become good friends, and he also admired Yang Xiu's talent and was reluctant to see Yang Xiu die.

Cao Cao was not surprised, and finally asked Cao Xiong out of respect: "Tell me what you think?"

Cao Xiong looked at his three brothers and said weakly, "Father, don't kill the Yang family."

Cao Cao forced a smile and said, "Tell me the reason."

"I think if I don't kill him, I can still kill him later. If I kill him, who should I kill next time?"

Cao Xiong said in a puzzled tone: "Life must be useful."

"That makes sense. It's useless if you die."

Cao Cao stretched out his hand and pinched Cao Xiong's cheek, deliberately looked at Cao Pi with disdain, and said: "Watch your mouths, and visit Xu Ziyuan together tomorrow."

Cao Pi's scalp tingled, his expression stiffened, and he bowed with his hands clasped together: "Yes, father."

The other three also saluted, and seeing that Cao Cao had nothing else to say, they followed Cao Pi out.

As soon as Cao Pi walked out of the door, he felt his steps become heavy and sweat drips down his back. He felt uncomfortable and depressed from the bottom of his heart.

Keep your mouth shut.

Cao Pi repeatedly warned himself in his heart and ignored the other three people. He walked back to his small courtyard almost subconsciously in a daze.

During the period when Cao Cao was ill, Ma Chao took his troops out of the city to practice riding and go hunting together near Rangshan Mountain.

For seven or eight days in a row, he did not return.

Zhu Gongdao, the leader of the young knights recruited by Hedong, had to come to the residence of Shizhong Geng Ji in the city, otherwise there would be problems.

The more than 100 people from Hedong and the more than 200 people recruited from Xudu are currently housed in a small manor on the outskirts of the city, which was borrowed with the help of Geng Ji.

Ma Chao had to pay for these people's food, clothing, housing and transportation. During this period, Ma Chao had taken the Guanlong Knights out hunting, and the supplies in the small manor were almost gone.

When Zhu Gongdao arrived, he was received by a personal attendant left behind by Ma Chao.

The letter from Ma Chao was delivered to Zhu Gongdao, along with two leather bags containing gold cakes.

After reading Ma Chao's letter, Zhu Gongdao felt very disappointed and asked his attendant: "Are we such unfaithful people?"

The attendant simply pushed the two heavy bags forward and said, "This matter is too serious, so I cannot elaborate on it. If you warriors are interested, you can buy food and fodder and chase my master westward. When the time comes, my master will apologize in person."

Seeing that Zhu Gongdao was interested, the attendant said, "I heard that Lou Zibo was going to sell his property and return home. Those of you who are interested in building a family business can use the gold to buy some land and houses. Lou Zibo wants to recruit guards when he returns home. You may apply. When you reach the border of Nanxiang, take the Wuguan Road to the north and you will reach Guanzhong."

Zhu Gongdao looked suspicious, and explained: "We who stayed behind wanted to join the trip, so that we can be taken care of and have food."

"Okay, if anyone wants to go, they will apply tomorrow."

Zhu Gongdao patted the two heavy leather bags and said, "Since Meng Qigong trusts me so much, I will lead the people to follow you even if I give away all my gold."

(End of this chapter)